Desta: The Memories Between Review (Steam)

by Jim Smale · May 15, 2023

For our Desta: The Memories Between Review where we play a cozy team-based tactics adventure. Encounter old friends, unlock new abilities, and land trick shots to resolve memories, all while falling deeper into a mysterious world.

Desta: The Memories Between Review Pros:

Decent graphics.
1.37GB download size.
Steam achievements.
Full controller support.
Graphics settings – resolution, windowed mode, v-sync, and anti-aliasing.
Invert the axis for the camera.
Opening and ongoing tutorial pop-ups.
Colorblind support.
Ui size – small or large.
Puzzle gameplay.
Fully voiced characters.
In-game cutscenes.
Dialogue speed can be set to default or slower.
Can skip cutscenes.
Turn-based combat.
The game is played out on a grid, you have X amount of moves. A ball will appear and you use this to hit crystals, switches, and fight people with.
Full 3D camera control.
When throwing the ball you get a throwing line and can use this line to judge where the ball goes afterward.
Upbeat soundtrack.
You can have the ball rebound back to you.
Undo the last move button.
Each little puzzle sequence is classed as a dream sequence.
Set within the United Kingdom so it has recognizable signs, language, and the like.
Each character uses their own set of pro nouns.
Simple easy to remember controls.
Adjust the power of your ball shots.
Recruit/meet party members where the turn order is up to you every time.
Throw the ball between party members.
Clever level design as it all looks simple and easy but it really is not.
The ball can bounce off people and the environment.
Very easy to get into.
Fast loading times.
The story is done in such a way that you always want to see the next dream and then the next.
When you lose all HP you wake up in the real world and lose all acquired abilities and memoria.
Run-based game loop.
Every new run allows you to pick an ability.
Use the environment to bounce the ball but also protect yourself.
Earn EXP after each dream resolution to unlock new abilities and upgrade movement allowance.
When you click move you get grids coming up showing how many and where you can move.
Before a new dream sequence, you can prepare by equipping your wanted abilities and teammates recruited.
Bite-sized levels.
The locations just look really cool.
Difficulty options unlock as you play – start the match with a healing tile, opponent accuracy chances, no-fail mode, and start the match with a ball.
The story involves depression, anxiety, social life, and friendships in a scarily realistic way.
Unlock shortcuts so you don’t have to repeat chapters. (optional)